SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEFLECTING MUD FROM THE FOOT AREA OF AN ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE
An apparatus, system, and method for deflecting mud from the foot area of an all terrain vehicle includes a substantially vertical barrier disposed adjacent to the foot area of the all terrain vehicle. The apparatus comprises a mud deflector stretched between a front fender and a rear fender. The apparatus may comprises a mud deflector configured from an elastomeric material stretched between a front fender and a rear fender and attached to the front and rear fenders by a plurality of attachment clips. In certain embodiments the apparatus may comprise a mud deflector configured from a rigid material attached to the front and rear fenders of the all terrain vehicle.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/888,731 entitled “ATV MUD DEFLECTOR DEVICE” and filed on Feb. 7, 2007 for Wayne A. Bowles, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system, method and device for deflecting mud from an all terrain vehicle, and more particularly to a mud deflector for maintaining a clean and debris-free area around an all terrain vehicle foot platform.
2. Description of the Related Art
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) comprise a number of small open motorized buggies and tricycles designed for off-road use. The operator or “rider” sits astride the vehicle on a seat, with his or her hands on a set of handlebars. The rider's feet are supported on a set of foot platforms or foot pegs which stick out from the frame of the ATV. Speed is controlled with a thumb lever or twist throttle disposed on the right side handlebar grip. Braking of the front tire or tires on an ATV is controlled by a hand-lever disposed on the right side of the handlebar grip. Braking of the rear tires of an ATV is controlled by a foot pedal disposed on the right side of the vehicle near the rider's foot. Gear control (shifting) is accomplished by a clutch, disengaged by compressing the left hand-lever, and moving the left foot-lever up and down. Steering is accomplished by application of pressure to one side or the other of the handlebars.
Certain ATV's comprise three wheels and are configured similar to a child's tricycle with one wheel in the front of the vehicle and two wheels in the back of the vehicle. Others, commonly referred to as a “four-wheeler,” comprise four wheels as the name suggests. On a four-wheeler two front fenders are disposed around the front tires and two rear fenders are disposed around the rear tires. The fenders act to deflect mud and debris from the rider who is seated on a seat that spans the distance between the front tires and the rear tires.
A foot platform is disposed between the front fender and the rear fender and provides an ATV user a place to rest his or her feet while using the vehicle. The foot pedal for braking the vehicle is disposed above the foot platform at a distance high enough to allow perpendicular movement of the foot pedal. The clutch foot-lever for shifting the vehicle is similarly disposed above a foot platform with enough clearance to allow perpendicular movement of the foot-lever to shift the vehicle.
ATV's are used in a variety of terrain conditions ranging from paved roads to stream or river crossings. Often, ATV's are used in muddy or wet conditions such as when the rider is using the vehicle to hunt. As the rider uses the vehicle, mud, dust and debris collects on the foot platform. This may cause a potentially dangerous condition where the mud and debris builds up between the braking foot pedal or clutch lever and the foot platform. Similarly, as the rider uses the vehicle at high speeds rocks and other debris may be thrown from the tires into the rider's legs and feet.
From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that a need exists for a safe, effective, quick release mud deflector that deflects mud and debris from around the foot platform of an ATV. Beneficially, such an apparatus should be designed to be easily adjusted and used with a standard ATV. The apparatus should be easily and efficiently manufactured of durable and reliable material at a cost consumers can afford.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available mud deflectors. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for deflecting mud from an ATV foot platform that overcomes many or all shortcomings in the art.
In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for deflecting debris from an outdoor recreational vehicle includes a substantially vertical first protective membrane connected to an outdoor recreation vehicle. The first protective membrane is disposed adjacent to and above a first foot area and is configured to shield the first foot area.
In certain embodiments the first protective membrane comprises an elastomeric material. In one embodiment the first protective membrane comprises at least one elastic panel and at least one inelastic panel. In certain embodiments the first protective membrane comprises an inelastic fabric. In one embodiment the first protective membrane comprises a rigid panel.
In one embodiment of the invention the out door recreational vehicle comprises an all terrain vehicle. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the first protective membrane is connected to a first front fender and a first rear fender. In one embodiment the first protective membrane is connected to the first foot area.
In one aspect of the invention a plurality of attachment clips connect a first protective membrane to a first front fender, a first rear fender and a first foot area. In certain embodiments a single continuous attachment clip is disposed about the periphery of the first protective membrane, the single continuous attachment clip connects the first protective membrane to the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area. In one embodiment the first protective membrane, the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area are integrally connected to one and other.
In one aspect of the invention an apparatus for protecting an all terrain vehicle user's legs and feet includes a vertical barrier connected to an all terrain vehicle, the vertical barrier is disposed about the user's foot. In certain embodiments the vertical barrier is connected to a foot peg. In one embodiment the vertical barrier is connected to a foot platform.
In a further aspect of the invention, a means for protecting an all terrain vehicle user's legs and feet includes a means for deflecting debris from between a front fender and a rear fender and a means for attaching the deflecting means to the front fender and rear fender.
In one aspect of the present invention a system for deflecting mud and debris from a four wheel all terrain vehicle includes a first protective membrane disposed substantially above a first foot platform and between a first front fender and a first rear fender. The first protective membrane is configured to shield the first foot platform. A first plurality of clips is connected to the periphery of the first protective membrane. The first plurality of clips is configured to provide an attachment to connect the first protective membrane to the first front fender and the first rear fender. A second protective membrane is disposed substantially above a second foot platform and between a second front fender and a second rear fender. The second protective membrane is configured to shield the second foot platform. A second plurality of clips is connected to the periphery of the second protective membrane. The second plurality of clips is configured to provide an attachment to connect the second protective membrane to the second front fender and the second rear fender.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, which depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, in which:
It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention, as presented in
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
A brake lever 114 for stopping the all terrain vehicle 100 is disposed within the foot area 110 on the right side of the all terrain vehicle 100 as illustrated in
In use, dust, mud and debris is spun off of the front tires 106 and rear tires 108 into the foot area 110. Overtime the dust, mud and debris spun from the front tire 106 and rear tire 108 collects on the foot platform 109. The dust, mud and debris can interfere with the brake lever 114 and the shift lever 116 making shifting and braking the all terrain vehicle 100 difficult and dangerous.
In one embodiment, the mud deflector 200 may comprise a solid, rigid material such as plastic or metal. In certain embodiments the mud deflector 200 may comprise a pliable material such as cloth, flexible plastic or rubber material which may be stretched between the front fender 102 and the rear fender 104. Where the mud deflector 200 is pliable, the front fender 102, rear fender 104 and foot platform 109 may provide a rigid support structure to define the shape of the mud deflector 200. When a pliable mud deflector 200 is removed from the all terrain vehicle 100, the mud deflector 200 can be folded into a compact unit for storage or transportation. In one embodiment a single size elastic mud deflector 200 stretches to accommodate various sizes and configurations of all terrain vehicles 100. In certain embodiments the mud deflector 200 may be configured to custom fit each specific individual model and make of all terrain vehicles 100. Of course in certain embodiments the mud deflector 200 may be configured to fit a range of models and makes of all terrain vehicles.
When attached to an all terrain vehicle 100, the mud deflector 200 provides a substantially vertical barrier to keep mud and debris out of the foot region while the user is driving the all terrain vehicle 100. In certain embodiments the mud deflector 200 may be configured to protect the leg of the all terrain vehicle user from the foot to the knee as illustrated in
In certain embodiments the mud deflector 200 has a front side 202 upon which all terrain vehicle manufactures or other interested organizations or individuals may imprint logos or other marketing material. In one embodiment aesthetically pleasing illustrations may be imprinted on the front side 202 of the mud deflector 200. In certain embodiments, the front side 202 of the mud deflector 200 may be imprinted with a camouflage pattern for hunting purposes. Warning labels or instructions for using the mud deflector 200 may be imprinted on the back side of the mud deflector 200.
The attachments 402 or attachment 404 may comprise a snap, button, Velcro, retaining clip 500 (as discussed below in reference to
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. An apparatus for deflecting debris from an outdoor recreational vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a substantially vertical first protective membrane connected to the outdoor recreation vehicle, the first protective membrane disposed adjacent to and above a first foot area and configured to shield the first foot area;
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first protective membrane comprises an elastomeric material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first protective membrane comprises an elastic panel and an inelastic panel.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first protective membrane comprises an inelastic fabric.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first protective membrane comprises a rigid panel.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outdoor recreation vehicle comprises a four wheel all terrain vehicle.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first protective membrane is connected to a first front fender and a first rear fender.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first protective membrane is connected to the first foot area.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of attachment clips connecting the first protective membrane to the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a single continuous attachment clip disposed about the periphery of the first protective membrane, wherein the single continuous attachment clip connects the first protective membrane to the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first protective membrane is integrally connected to the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the connections between the first protective membrane, the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area are adjustable.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising pressure release means to disconnect the first protective membrane from the first front fender, the first rear fender and the first foot area.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second protective membrane connected to a second front fender, a second rear fender and a second foot area.
15. An apparatus for protecting an all terrain vehicle user's legs and feet, the apparatus comprising a vertical barrier connected to an all terrain vehicle wherein the vertical barrier is disposed to the outside of a user's foot.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the vertical barrier is connected to a foot peg.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the vertical barrier is connected to a foot platform.
18. An apparatus for protecting an all terrain vehicle user's legs and feet, the apparatus comprising:
- means for deflecting debris from between a front fender and a rear fender; and
- means for attaching the deflecting means to the front fender and the rear fender.
19. A system for deflecting mud and debris from a four wheel all terrain vehicle, the system comprising:
- a first protective membrane disposed substantially above a first foot platform and between a first front fender and a first rear fender, the first protective membrane configured to shield the first foot platform;
- a first plurality of clips connected to the periphery of the first protective membrane; the first plurality of clips configured to provide an attachment to connect the first protective membrane to the first front fender and the first rear fender;
- a second protective membrane disposed substantially above a second foot platform and between a second front fender and a second rear fender, the second protective membrane configured to shield the second foot platform; and
- a second plurality of clips connected to the periphery of the second protective membrane; the second plurality of clips configured to provide an attachment to connect the second protective membrane to the second front fender and the second rear fender;
- wherein the first protective membrane and second protective membrane, when connected to the four wheel all terrain vehicle, provide a shielding surface to deflect mud and debris.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 7, 2008
Patent Grant number: 7967359
Inventor: Wayne A. Bowles (West Haven, UT)
Application Number: 12/027,745
International Classification: B60J 1/10 (20060101);